An all female team of pupils from the Tsito Old Junior High School has emerged winners of the 2020 Ho West District Basic School’s Annual Quiz Competition (BaSAQ-C).
Thursday’s finals of the 2020 BaSAQ-C held at Anfoeta Tsebi, had Tsito Old JHS, Aflakpe D/A JHS, Hlefi D/A JHS and Kpale Xorse JHS that emerged from a total of 71 basic schools that entered the competition from the preliminary stages about a month ago.
After a total of 5 rounds in subjects areas including mathematics, English, integrated science and general knowledge -each of which was divided into 3 segments, Hlefi D/A amassed a total of 64.5 points to be ranked the best school in English, Tsito Old had a total of 72 points to be adjudged the best school in mathematics, while Holuta Aflakpe JHS had 62.5 points to be named the best school in integrated science. Each of the three schools was given a cash prize of GHC100.00.
At the end of an entrailing contest, Tsito Old JHS -an all female team, which included Vera Asuo,Allala Jessica and Celestine Asemsro, had a total of 51 points to win the 2020 competition, Holuta Aflakpe JHS had 48 points to place 2nd, while Hlefi D/A and Kpale Xorse had 44 and 41points to place 3rd and 4th respectively.
Each of the pupil was given a certificate of excellence, 1 mathematical set, 1 English dictionary, and a varying number of the Ho West MP’s branded exercise books.
For the schools, the winner (Tsito Old JHS), had 1 brand new laptop, 1 brand new laser jet printer, a certificate of honour and a trophy, while the 1st and 2nd runner-up schools (Holuta Aflakpe JHS and Hlefi D/A JHS ), were also presented with 1 brand new laptop, 1 brand new LaserJet printer and a certificate of honour.
The 4th placed school, Kpale Xorse D/A JHS, was also presented with a brand new laptop and a certificate of honour for their participation.
The was special award for participants from schools that won the previous editions, while the competition secretariat was also presented with some logistics.
While addressing patrons at the finale, the Ho West MP, Emmanuel Kwesi Bedzrah noted that he is resolved to supporting quality education delivery in the Ho West District, through competitions like BaSAQ-C and adequate educational infrastructure.
He told the chiefs and pupils gathered that, “the competition in its 6th year running, is impacting positively on the progress and success of the pupils in the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE), many of whom are in the best secondary schools across the country,” he said.
He emphasised the need for the participants to take inspiration in the grooming they had towards the competition as the start of a journey towards academic excellence.
The Ho West District Director of Education, Celestine Korsi-Agordo expressed worry over the lack of support for the competition, saying that “the competition is solely sponsored by the MP and so, I fear for its sustainability beyond the days of the MP.”
She added that the records she has come to meet in office barely four months ago, show how impactful the competition has been on the pupils, especially the participants, thus the need for other stakeholders to join in sponsoring it to ensure its sustainability.
“When I assumed office barely four months ago, the records available show the positive impact BaSAQ-C has had on our children. Unfortunately, this is being sponsored by the MP and you know he’s a politician, and so, you don’t know what would happen in the future; especially if he’s no more in Parliament. It’s therefore important that other stakeholders join in making sure this initiative is sustained as long as it continues to make positive impact on our children”, she noted.
BaSAQ-C which is in its sixth year, is an initiative being sponsored by Emmanuel Kwesi Bedzrah, Member of Parliament for Ho West, under the auspices of the district education directorate.
This year’s competition is on the theme: “improving basic education delivery in the Ho West District through competition”.
Source: Ghana | Starrfm.com.gh | Faisel Abdul-Iddrisu
